Two New Candidates Win NHCo. Commission Seats

Last night the race among the 6 New Hanover County commission candidates was close. Voters elected two new commissioners and brought back a familiar face. Chairman Jonathan Barfield earned another term, while newcomer Republicans Woody White and Beth Dawson join the board. WHQR’s Sara Wood reports Dawson is the first woman elected to the commission since 2008.

Dawson captured the second highest percentage of votes, winning a seat with 18 percent. She says she plans to work hard to build consensus, even if the road ahead requires some patience.

“There are many issues that the current county commissioners have been working for a long time, and I don’t think that’s anything we’re going to be able to change overnight but we need to get up to speed. My pledge to the citizen is to work hard and listen to their concerns and ask tough questions, and make informed decisions on behalf of everyone.”

Woody White won the most votes, with 19 percent. Democrats Rob Zapple and Robert Murray, and Republican Derrick Hickey trailed slightly behind the three winners.